Mariachi music is serious business in Houston - on Cinco de Mayo weekend and beyond.

The holiday brings big crowds in search of music and margaritas, and festivities will include mariachis and more at Mexican restaurants across the area.

"Mariachi music and Mexican food go hand in hand. They're both part of our culture and traditions," says Raul Medina, who leads Mariachi Emperadores de Mexico. "It represents our folklore, what it really means to be Mexican."

Medina, a third-generation musician from Mexico, plays various instruments with his group, which will perform Sunday night in Galveston. His specialty is the vihuela, a guitar with doubled strings.

Mariachi music originated in Mexico, and modern-day crowds use it as a celebratory soundtrack for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other life events. It's especially popular on Cinco de Mayo, which is celebrated widely in the U.S. and commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. (It is not to be confused with Sept. 16, Mexican Independence Day, a national holiday in Mexico.)

Among the liveliest local performing groups are Mariachi Real Mexicanisimo, who can be found Friday evenings at El Jardin on Harrisburg, and Mariachi Imperial de America, whose repertoire includes everything from traditional fare to songs in Hindu, Chinese and English, including tunes from Adele and Bruno Mars.

"People want to have a great time, and mariachi music helps with that ambience," says Stephanie Tunchez, a violinist with Mariachi Imperial de America. She took up classical violin in the first grade at the urging of her mother but didn't connect with mariachi music until middle school.

"My mom recommended I join the mariachi class. I had no idea what mariachi even was," Tunchez says. "She told me the music was like Selena's 'Tu Solo Tu' song and to give it a chance. If I didn't like it after one year, I could switch. I instantly fell in love with the music."

Tunchez went on to the mariachi program at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and started playing professionally at 16. She has a day job but spends most weekends with Mariachi Imperial. (The group will perform 5-9 p.m. Monday at Lupe Tortilla in Beaumont.)

Pico's Mex-Mex: Live music nightly from Los Picudos, including Cinco de Mayo. The new location will celebrate Cinco de Mayo Friday through Monday with tequila and house shaker margarita specials featuring different brands of tequila. 3601 Kirby; 832-831-9940.

El Jardin: Mariachi music and drink specials throughout the weekend and Monday. 7849 Harrisburg; 713-921-3633.

El Pueblito Patio: DJ group the Partykingz, along with bachata singer Manny Loam, dancers and more at noon Sunday ($5 advance tickets, $10 at the door; 713-520-6635 or elpueblitopatio.com). Cinco de Mango, featuring popular Houston group Mango Punch!, 7 p.m. Monday. 1423 Richmond.

Parade: Sponsored by LULAC, the annual Cinco de Mayo parade featuring more than 75 entries runs 10 a.m.-noon Saturday and begins downtown at Texas and Hamilton, ending at Preston and Crawford.

Fiesta Universal: Latin Rock band Jalea will headline entertainment that includes Aztec dancers, ballet folklorico and a mariachi band at the annual fiesta hosted by the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 3-8 p.m. Saturday. Free. Town Green Park on Lake Robbins, The Woodlands.

Joey Guerra is the music critic for the Houston Chronicle. He also covers various aspects of pop culture. He has reviewed hundreds of concerts and interviewed hundreds of celebrities, from Justin Bieber to Dolly Parton to Beyonce. He’s appeared as a regular correspondent on Fox26 and was head judge and director of the Pride Superstar singing competition for a decade. He has been named journalist of the year multiple times by both OutSmart Magazine and the FACE Awards. He also covers various aspects of pop culture, including the local drag scene and "RuPaul's Drag Race."